NCEL is Your Ideal Research Partner to Achieve Energy Transition



The Net-Zero Carbon Emission Lab (NCEL), is a specialised research group under the Department of Petroleum Engineering, KNUST. NCEL is focused on conducting research, development, and innovation (RD&I) related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission assessment, monitoring, and mitigation. The ultimate goal of NCEL is to deliver advanced RD&I solutions for reliable assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of industrial GHG emissions to assist Ghana to develop a data-driven approach to achieve Net-Zero GHG emissions by 2050, in alignment with the Paris Agreement and UN SDG goal 13.

The Government of Ghana has identified energy transition as a critical priority, given the challenges of decarbonizing the energy and industrial sector while simultaneously addressing a 10% annual increase in energy demand. Ghana recognizes the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and shift towards more sustainable energy sources, such as renewable energy, to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for its citizens. At the same time, Ghana is aware of the need to generate revenue from its oil and gas production and utilization, which contributes significantly to the country's economy. In addition, the need to industrialize and sustain economic development is a priority for many African countries, including Ghana. Industrialization presents an opportunity for economic growth and job creation, but it also carries significant environmental implications, particularly in terms of GHG emissions. Thus, Ghana faces a complex challenge of balancing its energy and industrialization goals with its commitments to reducing emissions and promoting sustainable development.

To achieve this balance, Ghana needs specialized expertise and intensive research to develop and implement effective strategies for achieving its emission reduction targets while developing energy resources and pursuing industrialization goals. This includes exploring innovative approaches for energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, carbon capture and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen production and storage. Through collaborative efforts with industry, academia, and international partners, Ghana can leverage specialized expertise and innovative technologies to drive its energy transition while promoting sustainable development and economic growth.

Reliable GHG emission assessment is needed to accurately quantify the sources and magnitude of emissions. It is essential to understand the patterns and trends in emissions to design and implement effective mitigation measures. Reliable assessment can also help identify gaps and opportunities for emissions reduction and prioritize actions to achieve the desired outcomes. Mitigation measures are necessary to reduce GHG emissions and slow the pace of climate change. Generally, the three main mitigation strategies available include carbon emission reduction, carbon compensation and carbon removal techniques such as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). Effective mitigation measures require a detailed understanding of the sources and drivers of GHG emissions, as well as an understanding of the economic, social, and environmental impacts of different mitigation options. NCEL is the ideal research team to partner government and the energy sector to achieve their energy transition goals. NCEL has strong expertise and capability for robust GHG emission assessment, development of reliable emission monitoring and forecasting technology, and deployment of advanced GHG emission mitigation technology.



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